Will definitely meet with Zelenskyy: Magyar preparing shift in relations with Ukraine
Photo: Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party (Getty Images)
The future government of Peter Magyar plans to establish friendly relations with Ukraine. This is one of its top priorities, Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party and winner of Hungary’s parliamentary elections, made this statement at a press conference.
Good relations with neighbors
"The Tisza government will strive for allied and, if possible, friendly relations with all neighboring countries," he said in response to a question about the party’s policy toward Ukraine.
He added that "Hungary is surrounded by Hungarians," so maintaining good relations with neighboring countries is one of the key interests.
Meeting with Zelenskyy
Magyar also responded to a question about a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"We will definitely meet — if not somewhere else, then in the European Council," the leader of Tisza said.
Russia’s war against Ukraine
He noted that the party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Fidesz, has used disagreements with Ukraine for party-political purposes.
"Everyone in Hungary knows that Ukraine is the victim in this war," Magyar said, adding that no one has the right to decide on behalf of Ukrainians on what terms Kyiv should make peace with Russia.
The leader of the Tisza Party stressed that this is "outrageous, hypocritical rhetoric," because in a reversed situation, no one would give up Hungarian regions.
He also added that a condition for normalizing relations with Ukraine would be the regulation of the rights of the Hungarian minority living there.
Orbán’s policy toward Ukraine
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has pursued an anti-Ukrainian foreign policy.
In particular, his government has repeatedly delayed EU aid to Ukraine, as well as the introduction of new sanctions against Russia.
In recent months, Hungary has been blocking a €90 billion loan for Ukraine from the European Union. The aid was approved at the end of last year, but Orbán decided to use the loan as leverage to pressure Ukraine into restoring Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.
